San Rafael library hires security guard to handle 'behavior issues'

After countless incidents involving problematic patrons, the downtown San Rafael Public Library has hired an unarmed, full-time security guard to enforce its behavior policy.

The library has contracted with San Rafael-based Barbier Security Group to provide a guard during the library's open hours, which total 55 hours each week. Barbier Security is charging $24 per hour for the surveillance, racking up a monthly bill of $5,280.

Sarah Houghton, director of the San Rafael library, said the initial agreement with the security company started April 1 and lasts up to three months, allowing her to determine whether the guard's presence is helpful. She said there have been verbal fights and other instances of inappropriate conduct taking place at the literary vault.

"Since the economic downturn, we've seen a big uptick in behavior issues at the library," Houghton said. "What we were finding was a lot of little interactions and problems were sucking up staff time."

She said the guard makes it possible for employees to focus on their jobs, which include teaching classes and helping people do research, instead of people's behavior.

"I think overall it has changed the atmosphere of the library," Houghton said.

The library has been part of downtown since the late 1880s when it started as a humble free reading room. A smaller version of the city-owned building that currently sits at the corner of Fifth Avenue and E Street was dedicated in 1909, after philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated money for the library and residents undertook a vigorous fundraising campaign.

Library employees have long sought to be as inclusive as possible, completing two expansions for the public and asking citizens to support its efforts with property tax assessments, including a $49 parcel tax voters approved in 2010. Now the library faces the prospect of asking some members of the public, including the homeless, some say, to leave.

Anna Colligan said she visits the library at least once a week with her son and has only experienced one instance where a visitor was booted from the building.

"I do remember one time I was here and the librarian had to ask a man to leave," Colligan said. "I think it was somebody who just comes in to rest or something."

Frequent visitor Jacqueline Garcia, of Santa Venetia, said she thinks it's sad a security guard has been hired to oversee a place where her 5-year-old and 8-year-old boys feel very comfortable. She said it doesn't bother her that homeless residents congregate at the library.

"They're part of our reality and I don't want to shelter my children from it," Garcia said. "They're allowed to read and if they smell then my kids need to know why."

For Doug Noland, of San Rafael, behavioral problems haven't been an issue at the library. He said he knows the library has had problems with the homeless, but that there needs to be some compassion for those members of society.

"Maybe the guard could guide them to certain social services," Noland said.

At this point, the downtown library is the only one in the county with a paid security guard.

About three years ago the Novato library had a part-time security guard, but library Branch Manager Janet Doerge said there's no need for one now.

Julie Magnus, branch manager for the Corte Madera and Marin City libraries, said both libraries have trained their employees to handle any issues that might come up. She said sheriff's deputies have been responsive when there have been inebriated people at the Marin City location.

"We do sometimes have issues, but nothing that has ever risen to the point of needing a full-time security guard," Magnus said.

About six months ago, Magnus said she noticed people were hanging out in the Corte Madera library garden at night. A request that the Central Marin Police Authority patrol the area took care of the problem, she said.

Diana Lopez, community library specialist at the Marin City library, said employees can see the sheriff's station from their location, so they feel safe.

"They're very prompt when we've had to call for people who have been disruptive," Lopez said.

She said it's unlikely the library would ever hire security, especially since the library is in a shopping center that has its own security guard patrolling the premises.

About 11 miles away, the Fairfax library sees its fair share of eccentric visitors, but hasn't had any problems that warrant the need for a guard. Margaret Miles, the Fairfax library branch manager, said she's aware the San Rafael library has seen a surge in visitors who live on the edge of society and are often homeless.

"We're pretty lucky in Fairfax. All libraries are open to the public and sometimes they do become havens for people who are having trouble in their lives," Miles said.

What's worked at her library, Miles said, is explaining behavior expectations to patrons if an issue arises. If that doesn't work, multiple employees are called in to help, with a call to the police as a last resort.

"Frequently if somebody is not on the same plane of reality, having two staff people stand together and say 'We need you to not be talking so loud in the library,' or whatever it is, typically that works," Miles said.

Back in San Rafael, Houghton said the public and employee reaction to the new security guard has been positive, but nothing is set in stone.